We have noticed a significant increase in the volume of new and recurring pipe and drain faults since lockdown restrictions took effect in March. We are all feeling the implications of COVID-19 to some degree, but how and why is it affecting our plumbing?

Most of us, under normal circumstances, tend to spend around 50% of our time at home, with the vast majority of it spent soundly asleep. The rest of our waking lives are spent at work or otherwise “out and about”.

In our current state of COVID-19 lockdown, the majority of the Australian office-based workforce is at home for the foreseeable. And while we are lucky in that we can still go outside, many of our usual haunts such as the movies, gyms, pubs, and restaurants are out. What this means is, the net amount of time we spend at home has significantly increased and in turn, the pressure on our plumbing.

Just like your favourite shirt or pair of shoes, the more you use your plumbing, the quicker it will deteriorate. The increased amount of toilets flushed, dishes washed, and long showers all increase the volume of water and waste that travels through our pipes and drains. In most cases, this is unlikely to be the cause of new issues or faults, but more likely to highlight the pre-existing problems that may have otherwise gone undetected.

Unfortunately, short of living a lifestyle of unhygienic starvation, there isn’t much we can do about this extra load. What we can do is deal with the problem. None of us can be sure how long we will be in this situation and addressing any issues sooner, rather than later, will only save you time and money in the long run.

If a new issue has reared its head (and you haven’t already) get a diagnosis from your regular plumber, or give us a call. It may be a simple patch and repair job, but it may be more substantial. Either way, it is best to know sooner rather than later. Our CCTV inspection technology is often the quickest and cheapest means by which to diagnose a problem. Once you have a diagnosis, you can move forward on a solution, whether relining or otherwise.

If an old issue has resurfaced, especially one that had already been “fixed”, the chances are that it will keep coming back unless you take action. Recurring problems are often a result of breaches and blockages underground, that cannot be identified without CCTV technology. Rather than have the same work done again in the false hope that this time it will work, get it checked properly.

Not all faults require relining, but many can be treated more efficiently with no-dig, relining solutions. If you’d like to chat with one of our team, please give us a call anytime.